Grzegorz Lato

Grzegorz Lato
Lato in 1979
Member of Senate
In office
2001–2005
Preceded byJózef Frączek
Succeeded byWładysław Ortyl
25th President of the PZPN
In office
30 October 2008 – 26 October 2012
Preceded byMichal Listkiewicz
Succeeded byZbigniew Boniek
Personal details
Born (1950-04-08) 8 April 1950 (age 74)
Malbork, Poland
Political partyDemocratic Left Alliance
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Occupation

Association football career
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1980 Stal Mielec 295 (117)
1980–1982 Lokeren 64 (12)
1982–1984 Atlante 45 (16)
Total 404 (145)
International career
1971–1984 Poland 100 (45)
Managerial career
1988–1990 North York Rockets
1991–1993 Stal Mielec
1993–1995 Olimpia Poznań
1995–1996 Amica Wronki
1996–1997 Stal Mielec
1997 AO Kavala
1999 Widzew Łódź
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Poland
FIFA World Cup
Third place 1974 West Germany
Third place 1982 Spain
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1972 Munich Team
Silver medal – second place 1976 Montreal Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Copy of G.Lato medal and autograph in Sports Star Avenue in Dziwnów

Grzegorz Bolesław Lato (Polish pronunciation: [ˈɡʐɛɡɔʐ ˈlatɔ]; born 8 April 1950) is a Polish former professional football player and manager who played as a winger. He was a member of Poland's golden generation of football players who rose to fame in the 1970s and early 80s. Over a decade, he represented Poland at five major tournaments starting with gold at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich and ending with a third-place finish at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. He reached the peak of his career at the 1974 World Cup, where he was the leading scorer and the only Pole to-date to have won the honour. After retiring from his playing career, he had a brief stint as manager in several clubs in and out of Poland.

Lato, as a member of Democratic Left Alliance, was a Polish Senator for the Rzeszów region, between 2001 and 2005.

On 30 October 2008, he was elected president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN). As president of the PZPN he oversaw the Euro 2012 tournament, which was co-hosted by Poland. He was succeeded by Zbigniew Boniek on 26 October 2012. He patrons the Mielec Municipal Stadium.